Wikis as education tools - analysis

Ok, so I tried combining one of the Group 4 Technologies - Online Concept Mapping, with a SWOT on wikis.  I used but I'm not a fan.  As you'll see, the image of the "floaty" mindmap that is created has overlapping bubbles, so you can't read the text.  Well, what a waste of half an hour.  Thanks very much Text2Mindmap.  See a plain old, boring table below...

SWOT of Wikis as education tools

Strengths	Weaknesses
·      Collaborative => creates networks. ·      Constructive => ownership. ·      Connective – class, school, families, wider community, even interstate or international. ·      Flexibility of access/contribution times. ·      Flexibility of content types: text, images, video, audio, etc. ·      Encourages shy pupils to contribute, particularly if ‘anonymous’. ·      Encourages peer teaching. ·      Freely available and fairly simple.	·      Need for a moderator to ensure wiki is working and is not becoming unwieldy (cf. ICT Moodle wikis). ·      Time consuming for moderator:- ·      Frequent need to back-track when content altered in error; ·      Frequent need to re-format and correct individual contributions; ·      Yet another place to find work to mark. ·      Non-contributing pupils may try to hide lack of involvement. ·      Bombastic or ICT-stronger pupils may take over. ·      ICT-weaker pupils may feel excluded. ·      Content may not be correct and pupils may not be aware. ·      Problem of contributors working at different speeds. ·      Need to revisit wiki to see updates. ·      As with all ICTs - unequal access to ICTs in a diverse student community.
Opportunities	Threats
·      Cross-cultural communication beyond local community. ·      Access to experts. ·      Flexible platform that enables development, investigation and exposure to other ICTs. ·      Collaboration not limited to education environments.  Can be used to engage with scientists, sports people, businesses, etc.	As with all ICTs:- ·      Online security. ·      Cyber-bullying. ·      Cultural clashes. ·      Disengagement if content not relevant. ·      Copyright and plagiarism issues. ·      Original content may be ‘stolen’. ·      Risk of loss of function and content if technology breaks down

There may always be weaknesses or threats using ICTs that need to be combatted by safe use policies and procedures (see later blog), but it is important, as part of a teacher's duty of care, to assess, avoid or minimise risks.

Provided the teacher is prepared to invest the time and effort in managing the wiki, many disadvantages can be overcome, e.g. explaining the proper purpose and use of the wiki and encouraging/enforcing participation and regular use.